When Gu Zhaoye flew into a rage, those around him would exchange knowing glances.
The sparring partners accompanying him immediately noticed his foul mood and exchanged silent looks. Everyone knew Young Master Gu had come out to unwind after the recent incident at Yuanqi Tech—though no one knew the specifics, rumors swirled about a failed financing round.
For someone as privileged and accustomed to success as Gu Zhaoye, this was a humiliating blow. His inner circle couldn’t fathom what kind of ruthless business tactics or cunning maneuvers could have dealt him such a devastating loss.
Though Yuanqi Tech wasn’t a core asset of the Gu Family—merely a venture handed to Young Master Gu for experience—its failure wouldn’t shake his standing as the favored eldest grandson in Old Master Gu’s eyes. At worst, it might give Gu Kaichang from the second branch an opening to stir trouble.
Still, a financing failure was a stain on the pride of someone like Gu Zhaoye.
No one dared speculate who was behind it. They mentally ran through the list of cutthroat industry veterans but kept their mouths shut.
What had set him off this time?
Gu Zhaoye flicked away his cigarette butt, pulled on his coat with a dark expression, and said, “Back to Haishi.”
The others stiffened. “Right away,” they replied, halting their match to escort him out.
Given Young Master Gu’s status, only a major Gu Family matter or a critical deal at Yuanqi Tech could demand his immediate return. They couldn’t afford to delay.
But they were overthinking it. Gu Zhaoye’s mind was entirely consumed by one thought: Who has Liang Zhiwei latched onto now? Work was the last thing on his mind.
Why?
His feelings for Liang Zhiwei were complicated. He knew she loved him—precisely why he looked down on her.
She had come to him in desperation.
She agreed to be Ruan Nian’s stand-in, and in exchange, he gave her resources and money to survive. Nothing more.
Gu Zhaoye had used her repeatedly to provoke Ruan Nian, hoping she’d come back to him. When she finally did, the stand-in was no longer needed.
He’d still sought Liang Zhiwei out a few times afterward, but once his relationship with Ruan Nian was solidified, he cut ties completely. The wounded confusion in Liang Zhiwei’s eyes fed his sense of control—cold, detached mastery over everything.
This was how he played with emotions, reserving sincerity only for Ruan Nian. But now, barely a year after leaving him, had Liang Zhiwei already found another patron?
Gu Zhaoye’s expression darkened. He recalled how Liang Zhiwei had always bent over backward to please him—never angry, always smiling. She was clearly skilled at catering to others.
The thought of her catering to someone else made his face twist with displeasure.
He would confront her properly.
No one but Gu Zhaoye could give her what she wanted. This time, Liang Zhiwei had miscalculated.
---
Ruan Nian hung up the phone and slumped to the floor, hugging her knees. After a moment, she lifted her head. “Is it done?”
Her assistant nodded eagerly. “Done! The photos have the perfect ‘broken’ vibe!”
This was the worst PR crisis of Ruan Nian’s career, and she had to give it her all.
She exhaled in relief. “Post the statement now.”
The assistant uploaded the images with a caption: Just saw Ruan Nian leaving the police station. She looks completely drained.
Accompanying explanations followed:
“This incident had nothing to do with Ruan Nian—her manager acted without her knowledge. Ruan Nian was just as shocked! As for the ‘fan insults,’ she didn’t know the context at the time. She was reacting to being shoved by stalkers outside her building!”
“The camera smashed wasn’t even her doing—it was the director’s. Ruan Nian has always worked hard, enduring slander and scandals without complaint. How can you doubt her over baseless rumors?”
The narrative worked. Fans accustomed to defending Ruan Nian rallied behind the statement.
But even with her innocence this time, the recent flood of scandals had worn them down. A vocal faction began demanding:
“Fire the manager! She’s nothing but trouble. How many messes has she caused already?”
“Why keep a manager who only brings disaster? Does she have connections?”
Ruan Nian’s face fell as the public opinion veered in an unexpected direction. Why are these fans so difficult? Without Sister Li, who would take the fall next time?
She tried to placate them, but the backlash was too severe. Fans were adamant—Sister Li had to go.
Ruan Nian was stunned.
Her assistant whispered, “The company CEO called. He wants to know if Sister Li really did those things. If so, she’s out.”
No! Ruan Nian scrambled for a way to stop this, but nothing came to mind.
“I… need time to think. I’ll get back to him later.”
“He wants an answer now. He won’t tolerate her jeopardizing Four Seasons of the Elite, especially after the official reprimand.”
Ruan Nian’s heart sank. There was no way out—Sister Li had to be sacrificed.
What do I do now?
No—more pressing was surviving the present.
After a long silence, she closed her eyes in despair. Why does everything keep falling apart?
“No room for negotiation?”
“None. The CEO is furious.”
Ruan Nian hesitated, then gritted her teeth. Protecting her image came first—she couldn’t admit fault. “Fine. I’ll talk to Sister Li.”
She’d have to pay her off. Sister Li was loyal, but if cast aside, would she stay silent?
Exhausted from the day’s chaos, Ruan Nian nearly snapped when Li Xunxi called:
“Are you done yet? The shop won’t run itself.”
Even now, they treat me like a workhorse. She took a deep breath, barely holding back curses.
She was determined to become the mistress of the Gu Family as soon as possible!
After the crowd was dispersed, the fans were blocked outside the security tape and couldn’t get in.
Seeing the news online, everyone was in disbelief and started discussing it heatedly. Perhaps out of guilt, many gradually left—after all, there was no chance of seeing Ruan Nian now.
Only a handful of stubborn fans remained, still waiting.
Given the chaos of the incident, it was a miracle the show’s recording wasn’t canceled outright.
The director, relieved to have survived the ordeal, still had to pay out of his own pocket to compensate the fan whose camera was broken, just to settle the matter privately.
He had a pounding headache—all because of Ruan Nian. Initially, he had a very favorable impression of her. Even after her agent caused trouble, Ruan Nian had lowered her fee to join the show, earning his gratitude.
But one incident after another had strained their relationship to an awkward degree.
Finally, after sending Ruan Nian back to resume filming, he checked his messages—only to freeze in shock. What was this? Who wrote this PR statement?
It claimed that he was the one who had broken the camera, sparking the conflict?!
Sure, he had accidentally dropped it, but couldn’t they at least explain the full context?
If Ruan Nian hadn’t secretly contacted fans to cheat, would he have even been caught up in this mess? He’d stopped that fan to prevent the exposure of Ruan Nian’s behind-the-scenes insults!
Damn it—now he was the one being framed!
The director finally understood what it meant to be bitten by the dog you tried to save. He was livid!
He grabbed his phone, ready to fire off a furious rebuttal—but then remembered his show was still airing. If he caused a scandal now, the fallout wouldn’t be worth it. Swallowing his anger, he forced himself to stay quiet, though the injustice burned inside him.
Then, suddenly, a thought struck him like lightning.
Wait a minute…
He recalled something he’d overlooked.
Back when he was on the phone with Ruan Nian, he’d heard someone in the background say, "Nian Nian, Gu Zhaoping beat you up like this, and you’re still letting it slide?"
At the time, the director had pitied her.
But later, when Gu Zhaoping appeared, Ruan Nian had publicly released evidence—recordings, surveillance footage, and medical records—proving she’d never been assaulted.
So… where had that conversation come from?
A veteran of the entertainment industry, the director’s instincts kicked in. His pupils shrank as realization dawned.
Oh my god.
He’d just stumbled upon the real scandal.
Gritting his teeth, he pocketed his phone. The show had to finish first.
His gaze darkened as he glanced at Ruan Nian sitting beside him. She showed no guilt, no remorse—as if behind-the-scenes staff like him were just meant to take the fall.
Fine. If she played dirty, so would he.
If Ruan Nian and her team pulled another stunt, he wouldn’t hold back.
Unaware of the storm brewing, Ruan Nian returned to their restaurant and resumed her tedious prep work, laboring over her ninth slow-cooked dish.
Not far from the commercial district, in a high-rise office building, the CEO of a major company had just wrapped up a business discussion and stepped out with a smile.
As he walked, he noticed employees buzzing about a restaurant and some celebrities.
Curious, he turned to his assistant. "Is there a celebrity-run restaurant nearby?"
The assistant nodded. "CEO Hou, the cast of Four Seasons of the Elite is filming close by. The guests are running restaurants and competing in sales, with bidding rounds to showcase their business acumen."
Hou was mildly intrigued, though he assumed it was all just playacting for TV.
As they walked, he asked casually, "Who are the guests?"
"Ruan Nian—she used to endorse one of our subsidiary brands, so you might recognize her. Then there’s Chu Yanze, Su Yubai, and Liang Zhiwei. Among the elite guests are siblings Li Xunxi and Li Xunwen, as well as Gu Zhaoping."
Hou suddenly stopped. "Gu Zhaoping?"
The assistant blinked, unsure why the name caught his attention.
Had anyone from that day been present, they’d have recognized Hou as the investor who’d stormed out of Yuanqi Technology’s financial review meeting.
As the head of Aurora Green Energy, a leading name in the new energy sector, Hou knew Gu Zhaoping well—she was the Gu Family’s young mistress who’d exposed serious financial discrepancies during that meeting.
Hou’s strong reaction wasn’t unfounded. Years ago, Aurora Green Energy had nearly collapsed due to a financial fraud scandal orchestrated by an executive, leaving them drowning in debt and facing asset freezes.
Hou had risen to power during that crisis, steering the company back to stability. He couldn’t tolerate such risks again.
Still, he’d been impressed by Gu Zhaoping. He’d only dealt with Gu Zhaoye before and knew the Gu Family’s younger generation had their own ventures, all thriving in their own right.
But he’d never heard much about Gu Zhaoping’s pursuits.
Uninterested in elite gossip, that meeting had been his first glimpse of her. He’d pegged her as one of the Gu Family’s brightest—likely focused on studies before, hence her low profile.
Now, hearing she was on the show, Hou felt a flicker of curiosity. "Let’s go take a look. We’ve got time."
His team exchanged puzzled glances. The CEO, in his fifties and on par with the Gu Family in wealth, saw Gu Zhaoping and her peers as mere juniors.
Surely he wasn’t suddenly interested in a low-calorie hotpot show?
Arriving at the restaurant, Hou surveyed the lively scene. A server greeted them, asking if they’d like a table.
Hou didn’t refuse. "I’ll give it a try," he said, dismissing his subordinates.
Settling alone at a table, he noted the bustling crowd. At first, he assumed it was just star power—but the longer he sat, the more he sensed something deeper at play.
After sitting and listening for a while, another dish was served. He casually ate while tuning in to the surrounding chatter, but the moment he took a bite, he let out a surprised "Huh?"—it was far more delicious than he had expected.
He wasn’t particularly driven by culinary cravings, but the flavor was genuinely unique and delightful, certainly enough to stand out and thrive amid the fierce competition of the street’s dining scene.
Mr. Hou observed the surroundings with keen interest. Suddenly, his gaze landed on a familiar figure standing by the entrance, deep in conversation with someone.
Chun Ri.
The person seemed to be discussing ingredients with another, then turned their head slightly as the crowd shifted, locking eyes with Mr. Hou.
Mr. Hou had assumed she wouldn’t remember him—after all, they’d only met once, and he had an unremarkable face.
To his surprise, Gu Zhaoping quickly wrapped up her conversation and strode over, taking a seat across from him. "Mr. Hou, I recall that Aurora Green Energy Group is nearby. I didn’t expect you’d have the time to drop by and try our food," she said.
Mr. Hou was pleasantly surprised. "Miss Gu, you actually remember me?"
"Vividly. A CEO who’s so decisive in identifying and addressing financial issues is certainly worth remembering."
Anyone who could contribute to her professional success was worth committing to memory.
Gu Zhaoping smiled politely and handed him the menu, pointing out two of their signature dishes. "You might want to try our new recipes—healthy, low-calorie, even suitable for fitness enthusiasts."
Mr. Hou chuckled.
She truly embodied the spirit of excelling in every field. At the financial conference, she’d come across as a sharp, capable consultant and top-tier graduate. Now, running a restaurant, she seemed every bit the diligent, hands-on owner.
As he waited for the food, he praised Gu Zhaoping, sharing his observations:
"Miss Gu, you’ve done exceptionally well. To gather such a crowd in just one day speaks volumes. Your market positioning is precise—you’ve quickly identified your target demographic and filled a local niche. Your differentiation strategy is clearly paying off. Your market insight and decision-making are impressive."
He didn’t even need to ask who was behind it all. Gu Zhaoping smiled faintly. "Thank you for the praise, but this is just a game for the show. I didn’t expect you’d notice."
"Even the smallest game is a simulation of business warfare. Everything starts small, and greatness is revealed in the details," Mr. Hou said cheerfully. "The fact that you take even a game so seriously is an attitude we should all learn from."
"Please, just call me Zhaoping. As Zen teaches, 'one encounter, one chance.' Since we’ve met twice in such a short time, it must be fate. I’d be honored to treat you to our new dishes as thanks for your kind words—though I hope it doesn’t seem too meager a gesture."
Mr. Hou laughed heartily. "Fate indeed! By the way, Zhaoping, will you be attending the Los Angeles New Energy Summit with your family elders soon?"
Gu Zhaoping looked surprised. "What a coincidence—Old Master Gu has asked me to accompany him, though it’s still under wraps for now."
Mr. Hou quickly surmised it was tied to family dynamics but didn’t pry. Instead, he said, "That’s quite the coincidence. If you’re going with Old Master Gu, please pass along my regards. We’ll see each other there."
Unfamiliar with Gu Zhaoping’s past, Mr. Hou found nothing unusual about her attendance. To him, it was only natural.
A bright, capable, and promising young talent like her—who else would Old Master Gu bring? That misjudged Gu Zhaoye?
As the lunch rush finally eased, Liang Zhiwei personally delivered the dishes Gu Zhaoping had ordered to their table and greeted them politely. "Hello."
Since this was someone Gu Zhaoping knew, she didn’t ask further. But Mr. Hou looked up, startled, and pointed at her. "Ah, you’re... Ruan Nian?"
Liang Zhiwei froze, then stifled a laugh. From certain angles, she did resemble Ruan Nian.
"I’m Liang Zhiwei. A lot of people say I look like Ruan Nian."
Mr. Hou quickly realized his mistake. "Ah, my apologies."
He’d been about to say she was the perfect spokesperson they’d once hired for a product line—her demeanor was just right, and her culinary skills were impressive. But now, realizing she wasn’t Ruan Nian, he felt a flicker of disappointment.
Just then, a car passed by the restaurant’s entrance.
Gu Zhaoye massaged his temples, following the location Ruan Nian had sent him.
But as he glanced up, his expression abruptly darkened. Inside, he spotted a familiar face smiling at a middle-aged man.
The man wore the standard polo shirt of a businessman, his hair neatly combed.
The person across from him was laughing warmly.
Gu Zhaoye’s face twisted in shock.
"Stop the car!"
Inside the restaurant, Gu Zhaoping excused herself to take a call about ingredient supplies.
Mr. Hou was saying earnestly, "What a coincidence—our group is launching a new energy kitchen appliance line. Given your culinary skills, you’d be a great fit for our brand image. If there’s a chance, we should discuss..."
Mr. Hou was a courteous and approachable man, especially since this was someone Gu Zhaoping knew. He reached into his bag and handed Liang Zhiwei a business card.
Liang Zhiwei, flustered and honored, accepted it with both hands. "Thank you, Mr. Hou—"
Suddenly, her wrist was seized violently.
"Liang Zhiwei, what are you doing?"
Gu Zhaoye stormed in and grabbed her hand. Liang Zhiwei stood frozen.
The few remaining customers turned in shock, unsure what was happening.
Gu Zhaoye’s eyes were locked solely on Liang Zhiwei and the older man she’d been laughing with. Rage surged through him.
His suspicions were confirmed!
Amid the restaurant’s cheerful atmosphere, Gu Zhaoye’s outburst was utterly out of place. He snarled, consumed by fury:
"So you’ve already latched onto someone else’s coattails? Liang Zhiwei, I underestimated you!"
Mr. Hou’s hand froze mid-air, stunned by the sudden turn of events.
Gu Zhaoping, still on the phone, paused and turned, her gaze sharpening.
"Liang Zhiwei, who are you with now?"
Gu Zhaoye’s furious demand rang out—but before the words fully landed, the terrified expression on Liang Zhiwei’s face suddenly twisted away from him.
The familiar surge of overwhelming force violently twisted his wrist!
Before Gu Zhaoye could react, he felt his entire body suddenly lose balance.
His brows jerked, and he nearly let out a scream as his wrist was ruthlessly wrenched backward—away from Liang Zhiwei’s grasp—so forcefully it almost snapped.
In an instant, the face before him shifted to the one he had resented day and night, the one he never wanted to see again: Gu Zhaoping’s.
The man held his wrist with effortless ease, indifferent to his contorted expression, showing no intention of letting go as he uttered coolly,
"Follow me. What’s the problem?"
